(LibertySociety.com) – In a 2019 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) questionnaire, Vice President Kamala Harris indicated her support for decriminalizing all drug possession for personal use, including fentanyl and heroin. This position, which went largely unreported during her 2020 presidential campaign, aligns with her broader progressive stance on drug policy reform. The ACLU’s questionnaire asked Harris if she would back federal decriminalization of all drugs, citing drug use as a public health issue better handled through treatment rather than criminal penalties. Harris checked “yes.”
This revelation comes at a time when fentanyl and heroin are highly trafficked across the southern border, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), over 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022, with fentanyl playing a key role in these deaths. The increasing number of overdose fatalities from synthetic opioids, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl, is a serious concern across the country, as detailed in NIDA’s report.
Harris’s stance on drug decriminalization, along with her position on drastically reducing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, could become a point of discussion in political debates, especially given the current focus on border security and the opioid epidemic. Harris supported major cuts to ICE funding and pledged to end immigration detention during her 2020 campaign, according to the ACLU questionnaire.
Since joining the race, Harris has been accused of changing her stance on several issues, sparking controversy about her consistency. For instance, she flip-flopped on supporting a ban on plastic straws and fracking, initially endorsing stricter regulations but later softening her stance. Her support for Medicare for All also shifted over time, moving away from the bold position she once championed.
Other areas where Harris’s views have been unclear or have allegedly changed include gun buyback programs, decriminalizing illegal border crossings, building a border wall, and offering reparations. These policy shifts could raise questions about her consistency as a political leader and may influence public perception as political campaigns heat up.
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